Sandy Carson – Contemporary & Commercial Photography

Just Do It

TNR (Trap-Neuter-Return) is the method of humanely trapping free roaming feral cats, who have been abandoned or lost and have turned wild in order to survive. TNR involves having them spayed or neutered and vaccinated against rabies, then returning them to their colony to live out their lives without adding to the homeless cat population. It has been shown to be the least costly as well as the most efficient and humane way of stabilizing feral cat populations.

The number of feral cats in the United States is estimated to be in the tens of millions, and just one unsterilized female cat can be responsible for 370,000 offspring over the course of seven years. Sadly, many communities still opt to control populations using outdated methods, including lethal elimination or relocation. Not only are some of these methods horribly barbaric, they are also highly ineffective.

I became involved in TNR in Central Texas after fixing and adopting out a colony of cats in my neighborhood that were reproducing prolifically. After taking them to the Austin Humane Society to be fixed, it hit me that I had to do something more, other than just being a trapper. I decided to make photographs with the people who were making a dent in the feral colonies, documenting their dedication to animal welfare. This is their ongoing story.

TNR (Trap-Neuter-Return) is the method of humanely trapping free roaming feral cats, who have been abandoned or lost and have turned wild in order to survive. TNR involves having them spayed or neutered and vaccinated against rabies, then returning them to their colony to live out their lives without adding to the homeless cat population. It has been shown to be the least costly as well as the most efficient and humane way of stabilizing feral cat populations.

The number of feral cats in the United States is estimated to be in the tens of millions, and just one unsterilized female cat can be responsible for 370,000 offspring over the course of seven years. Sadly, many communities still opt to control populations using outdated methods, including lethal elimination or relocation. Not only are some of these methods horribly barbaric, they are also highly ineffective.

I became involved in TNR in Central Texas after fixing and adopting out a colony of cats in my neighborhood that were reproducing prolifically. After taking them to the Austin Humane Society to be fixed, it hit me that I had to do something more, other than just being a trapper. I decided to make photographs with the people who were making a dent in the feral colonies, documenting their dedication to animal welfare. This is their ongoing story.

Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) begins with the trapping of feral cats using humane cage traps. The captured cats are taken (in the trap) to the Humane Society where they are sterilized by the neutering of the males and spaying of females.2011, Archival Inkjet Print, 24x36 Inches

Sally Katz Lucker of Blue, TX, also TNR'd at least 200 cats per year since she started in 2004 and, like Dawn, finished top 10 each year for TNR records.2010, Archival Inkjet Print, 24x24 Inches

Adrian with cat binoculars2012, Archival Inkjet Print, 24x24 Inches

Trapped cats wait In line to be spayed and neutered. The Austin Humane Society has surgery 2-3 days a week, which averages about 50 cats, depending on weather and time of year. Kitten season sees a dramatic increase of feral intake.2010, Archival Inkjet Print, 24x36 Inches

'Sissy', also known as 'Arrrr' (pirate noise), is another of Dawn's rescues turned housecat. Dawn playfully calls some of her cats 'rejects'.2010, Archival Inkjet Print, 24x36 Inches

'Noble', a cat born without eyelids, was discovered in Taylor, TX, by Dawn who was trapping. Through a fundraiser with the non-profit 'Shadow Cats,' she was able to raise $2,000 for emergency surgery. Noble has since settled in nicely at Dawn's home.2012, Archival Inkjet Print, 24x36 Inches